The Bay Mills Indian Community (BMIC) stands as a testament to the enduring resilience and cultural richness of the Chippewa people. Located in the state of Michigan, the BMIC represents one of the many bands of Chippewa Indians who historically resided around Sault Ste. Marie. It’s crucial to distinguish the Bay Mills Indian Community from the "Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians," a separate, federally recognized tribe also located in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. The BMIC is both the name of the Indian reservation and the official tribal name of this federally recognized entity.
Location and Contact Information
The heart of the Bay Mills Indian Community lies at the following address:
- Address: 12140 W. Lakeshore Drive, Brimley, MI 49715
- Phone: 906.248.3241
- Fax: 906.248.3283
- Official Website: http://www.baymills.org
This website serves as a vital resource for tribal members and the general public, offering information about tribal government, services, events, and cultural initiatives.
Recognition and Traditional Names
The Bay Mills Indian Community holds the significant status of being a Federally Recognized Tribe. This recognition acknowledges the tribe’s inherent sovereignty and establishes a government-to-government relationship with the United States.
The traditional name for the Bay Mills Indian Community is Gnoozhekaaning, which translates to "Place of the Pike." This name reflects the historical importance of the pike fish to the community’s sustenance and cultural identity. The common name, "Chippewa Indians," is often used as an alternative designation.
Linguistic Diversity: Names for the Chippewa
The Chippewa people, also known as the Ojibwe, have been referred to by various names across different languages and cultures. This linguistic diversity highlights the historical interactions and relationships between the Chippewa and other groups. Some of these names include:
- Aoechisaeronon or Eskiaeronnon (Huron)
- Assisagigroone (Iroquois)
- Axshissayerunu (Wyandot)
- Bawichtigouek or Paouichtigouin (French)
- Bedzaqetcha (Tsattine)
- Bedzietcho (Kawchodinne)
- Dewakanha (Mohawk)
- Dshipowehaga (Caughnawaga)
- Dwakanen (Onondaga)
- Hahatonwan (Dakota)
- Hahatonway (Hidatsa)
- Jumper, Kutaki (Fox)
- Leaper, Neayaog (Cree)
- Nwaka (Tuscarora)
- Ostiagahoroone (Iroquois)
- Rabbit People (Plains Cree)
- Regatci or Negatce (Winnebago)
- Saulteur (Saulteaux)
- Sore Face (Hunkpapa Lakota)
- Sotoe (British)
- Wahkahtowah (Assiniboine)
Geographical Context and Territorial Lands
Geographically, the Bay Mills Indian Community is situated in the Northeastern region of the United States, specifically within the Eastern Woodland cultural area. Today, the community resides in the state of Michigan. Their traditional territory is linked to the broader Ojibwa (Chippewa) Migrations, a significant historical movement that shaped the distribution of Ojibwa peoples across the Great Lakes region.
The BMIC is affiliated with the Council of Three Fires Confederacy, a historic alliance between the Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi nations. This confederacy played a vital role in shaping the political and military landscape of the Great Lakes region.
The Bay Mills Indian Community possesses its own reservation, known as the Bay Mills Reservation, along with Off-Reservation Trust Land. The establishment of this land base is rooted in the Indian Reorganization Act (IRA) of 1934. In 1937, land was purchased, and the BMIC formally organized, adopting its Constitution and Charter on November 27, 1937, in accordance with the IRA. This land, coupled with the original Bay Mills Mission and a small portion of Sugar Island, comprises the majority of the current reservation land holdings within Chippewa County.
The reservation encompasses a total land area of approximately 4.793 square miles (12.41 km2). A significant portion, 3.761 square miles (9.74 km2), lies northwest of Brimley, Michigan, spanning across the eastern parts of Bay Mills Township and Superior Township. The remaining 1.032 square miles (2.674 km2 or 660.67 acres) is located on Sugar Island in the St. Marys River.
In recent years, the Tribe has expanded its land holdings, increasing the land base to roughly 3,494 acres (5.46 sq mi; 14.14 km2), with 3,109 acres (4.86 sq mi; 12.58 km2) held in trust. The tribal headquarters is located in Brimley, Michigan, operating within the Eastern Time Zone.
Population and Enrollment
Historical population figures at the time of European contact are not readily available. As of the 2000 Census, the registered population of the Bay Mills Indian Community was 812. This number increased to approximately 1,309 registered members by the 2010 Census. According to the official tribal website, the community currently has 2,057 enrolled members (no date given).
The tribal enrollment requirements stipulate that individuals must be descendants of a Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa Indian whose name appears on the Durant Roll of 1910 and who are not enrolled in any other Indian tribe.
Governance and Political Structure
The Bay Mills Indian Community operates under a constitution established in 1936, following the framework of the Indian Reorganization Act. The governing body is the General Tribal Council, which consists of all adult members of the tribe aged 18 and older. The Executive Council manages day-to-day decisions.
The General Tribal Council, in theory, comprises over 1,000 members. The Executive Council consists of several officers, including the President, Vice-President, Treasurer, Secretary, and a Councilman. Elections are held every two years to determine the composition of the Executive Council.
Language and Cultural Heritage
The language spoken by the Bay Mills Indian Community is Ojibwe, classified within the Algic language family, specifically belonging to the Algonquian branch and the Ojibwe-Potawatomi subgroup. Ojibwe ranks as the fourth most widely spoken Native American language in the United States, following Navajo, Inuit, and Cree.
The specific dialect spoken within the community is Western Ojibwe, also known as Saulteaux.
Economic Activities and Community Resources
The Bay Mills Indian Community operates the Bay Mills Resort & Casino, a significant source of revenue and employment for the community.
Furthermore, the Bay Mills Indian Community operates Bay Mills Community College, an accredited tribal college that provides educational opportunities for tribal members and the broader community.
Further Exploration
For those interested in delving deeper into the history and culture of the Bay Mills Indian Community, the following resources are highly recommended:
- The Place of the Pike (Gnoozhekaaning): A History of the Bay Mills Indian Community
- History of the Ottawa and Chippewa Indians of Michigan
These books offer valuable insights into the rich history, cultural traditions, and contemporary challenges faced by the Bay Mills Indian Community.